Counselling Psychology PSINIBPS Careers Day, TCD 09022008

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Counselling PsychologyPSI/NIBPS Careers Day,
TCD09/02/2008

• Sharon Cunningham
• Chair,
• Division of Counselling Psychology, PSI.

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What is Counselling Psychology?

• A branch of applied psychology that focuses on
• Personal and interpersonal functioning across the
  life span,
• Emotional, social, vocational, educational,
  health-related, developmental and organisational
  concerns,
• The delivery of evidence-based psychological
  therapy,
• Potential for developmental and growth of all
  clients.

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What do Counselling Psychologists do ?

• Help people with physical, emotional, behavioural
  and psychological disorders,
• Help people improve their well-being,
• Alleviate distress and maladjustment,
• Resolve crises,
• Increase clients abilities to live more highly
  functioning lives.

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Postgraduate Training in Counselling Psychology

• MSc / MA in Counselling Psychology
• TCD/UCC, 2 years full-time
• Likely to move to professional doctorate
• Professional Doctorate in Counselling Psychology
• City University, Metropolitan, Metanoia,
  Regents College, Roehampton, East London,
  Surrey, Teeside, Wolverhampton
• 3 years full-time
• Currently no training available in NI
• (Chartership for working in NHS, PSI and BPS
  looking at this)

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Entry Criteria to Postgraduate Training

• Undergraduate Psychology Degree (PSI/BPS
  Accredited)
• Generally 2.1 or higher required
• Beneifical (Not always necessary)
• Experience in emotionally demanding helping role
• Counselling Skills training
• Evidence of Personal Development Work

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Some Components of Postgraduate Training 1

• Professional Issues in Counselling Psychology
• Case Management
• Skills Training video work, role-play, skills
  training workshops.
• Theories and Approaches
• Working with specific client groups
• Assessment Procedures and Psychometrics
• Advanced Theory and Application

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Some Components of Postgraduate Training 2

• Reseach Components
• Research in Counselling Psychology Modules
• Research in Psychological Therapies and
  Counselling
• Assessment in Routine Practice
• Research Dissertation Project

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Some Components of Postgraduate Training 3

• Personal Development
• Personal Therapy
• Group Process
• Personal Development Workshops
• Reflective Practice
• - Tutorials
• - Learning Partner
• - Learning Journal
• - Integration and Reflection

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Some Components of Postgraduate Training 4

• Practical Components
• Placements (At least 2 placements, 250 direct
  client contact hours)
• Individual Supervision
• Group Supervision
• Reflective Practice (Tutorials, Learning Partner,
  Learning Journal, Workshops)

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Elements of Students Assessment

• Personal Learning Reports
• Theories Essay
• Process Reports and Case Studies (inc. detailed
  analysis of transcribed sample of session work)
• Unseen Exams
• Dissertation
• Practical Video Exams
• On-going assessment in supervision/skills
  training
• Placement Assessments with Supervisor

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Counselling Psychology Competencies 1

• Psychological Assessment, including assessment of
  mental health needs, risk.
• Psychometric Assessment (depending on context and
  training)
• Case Conceptualisation psychologcial
  explanation of cause and maintainence of
  psychological problems.
• Planning and implementation of psychological
  therapy

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Counselling Psychology Competencies 2

• Therapeutic work with children, adolescents,
  individuals, couples, families, groups,
  organisations.
• Integration of therapeutic interventions from
  differnent appraoches (i.e. humanistic,
  cognitve-behavioural, psychodynamic, systemic
  etc.)
• Report writing and record keeping.
• Evaluation of therapeutic outcomes.
• Psychoeducation and training.

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Counselling Psychology Competencies 3

• Supervision and training of other counselling
  psychologists, applied psychologists and related
  professionals.
• Multidisciplinary team work and team
  facilitation.
• Service and organisational development
• Audit and evaluation
• Conducting psychological research
• Management of Services
• Consultancy

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Examples of Counselling Psychology Work Settings 1

• Statutory Health Services (HSE/NHS) in
• Primary Care
• Mental Health Services
• General Health Services
• Child and Family Services
• Educational Settings
• Prison and Probationary Services

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Examples of Counselling Psychology Work Settings 2

• Voluntary Organisations
• Social Services
• Organisational Settings, including Employee
  Assistance Programmes
• Student Counselling Services
• Private Practice